Sculpture and Extended Media (SCPT) < Virginia Commonwealth University

This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2023-2024 VCU Bulletin. This edition includes all programs and courses approved by the publication deadline; however we may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

SCPT 209. Introduction to Sculpture. 3 Hours.

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3, 3 credits. Open to non-art majors only. The course will offer an opportunity for students to work with some of the ideas and materials of sculpture through slides, lecture and studio involvement.

SCPT 211. Basic Sculpture I. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. The primary goal of this course is the effective expression of ideas. The student is introduced to the basic tools, materials and techniques with attention given to problem-solving.

SCPT 212. Basic Sculpture II. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. The primary goal of this course is the effective expression of ideas. The student uses advanced techniques that build upon the basic skills taught in Basic Sculpture I with attention given to problem-solving.

SCPT 215. Sophomore Seminar. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Open only to sculpture majors. Designed for sophomore sculpture majors as a supplement to studio courses in the department. Emphasis is placed on articulating and expanding upon individual interests in relation to studio practices.

SCPT 290. Concepts and Issues. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: completion of Art Foundation. A lecture course that familiarizes students with contemporary artworks, as well as modern and postmodern concepts. This class presents contemporary issues in art through the presentation of media and visiting speakers. Visits to outside events and lectures will be required.

SCPT 292. Concepts and Issues II. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 290 or SCPT 290. A lecture course that builds on the prerequisite and covers contemporary art from recent decades. Students will be introduced to issues in contemporary art, including recent debates in the field. Crosslisted as: PAPR 292.

SCPT 311. Intermediate Sculpture. 4 Hours.

Semester courses; 3 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4, 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 212. The emphasis in this course is on creative independence. The student is encouraged to utilize a variety of materials in order to express his ideas.

SCPT 312. Intermediate Sculpture. 4 Hours.

SCPT 321. Figure Modeling. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: completion of Art Foundation. This course provides instruction in fundamental figure modeling skills working with clay and from live models.

SCPT 322. Flexible Molds. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: completion of Art Foundation. This course provides instruction on a variety of moldmaking techniques, including plaster and flexible moldmaking materials.

SCPT 323. Foundry. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 322. This course provides instruction in bronze and aluminum metal casting using the lost wax process, ceramic shell.

SCPT 324. Robotics for Sculpture. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: completion of Art Foundation. This course provides instruction in the construction, programming and integration of microcontrollers in conjunction with the use of switches, motors and other devices.

SCPT 411. Advanced Sculpture. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 16 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 311 or SCPT 312. The majority of the student's activities occur in the studio with emphasis on the development of a personal style.

SCPT 412. Advanced Sculpture. 4 Hours.

SCPT 415. Senior Seminar. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Open only to sculpture majors. Designed for graduating sculpture students. Focus is on professional development and preparation for the possibility of graduate school.

SCPT 417. Seminar in Contemporary Sculpture. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 4 lecture hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 212. A forum for consideration and discussion of recent developments.

SCPT 419. Professional Studio Practicum. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 9 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Enrollment requires permission of departmental chair. A studio class that provides a continuation of the student's work in sculpture. This course will be recorded as an elective for a sculpture major.

SCPT 480. Critical Issues. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture and 2 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, 132, 133 and 134. Enrollment is restricted to students with junior or senior standing in the School of the Arts. This advanced course comprises two parts. The first examines diverse critical and aesthetic issues through the study of a select group of highly innovative international artists. In the second part, students will participate in studio visits. Crosslisted as: PAPR 480.

SCPT 491. Topics in Sculpture. 1-4 Hours.

Semester course; 1-4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 16 credits. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. A seminar or workshop on a selected issue or topic in the field of sculpture. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

SCPT 492. Independent Study in Sculpture. 1-4 Hours.

Semester course; variable hours. 1-4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum total of 8 credits. Prerequisites: senior standing as a major in sculpture and approval of department chair and instructor. Individual instruction and supervision of a special project. Learning experiences should be designed with the supervising faculty member in the form of a contract between student and instructor. This course is limited to those students who have demonstrated an exceptional level of ability and intense commitment to their discipline.

SCPT 493. Sculpture Internship. 1-6 Hours.

Semester course; 40 contact hours per credit. 1-6 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 311 or SCPT 312. Open to junior- and senior-level sculpture majors only. A practicum in which students work with professionals in the field.

SCPT 510. Issues in Contemporary Visual Art. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students in the M.F.A. in Fine Arts concentrations. This course involves in-depth research and analyses of some of the aesthetic, philosophical and political issues preoccupying contemporary artists today. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

SCPT 530. Digital Fabrication. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 4.5 studio hours. 3 credits. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students in the M.F.A. in Fine Arts concentrations. A studio course that focuses on computer modeling, 3D scanning and several forms of digital fabrication.

SCPT 600. Graduate Studio. 6 Hours.

Semester course; 9 studio hours. 6 credits. May be repeated for a total of 24 credits. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students in the M.F.A. in Fine Arts sculpture concentration. Primary emphasis is placed on individual creative projects and on discussion of individual creative projects with regular exposure to the critical attention of other graduate students in the department, under the direction of the teaching faculty. Special emphasis is given to the development of personal expression through individual research and criticism.

SCPT 610. Professional Practices. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students in the M.F.A. in Fine Arts sculpture concentration. Seminar for the purpose of examining the range of professional practices in the field of contemporary art. Students will learn skills that apply to various parts of the field. The course will also address major debates within the field.

SCPT 681. Candidacy Research. 1,3 Hour.

Semester course; 1.5 or 4.5 studio hours. 1 or 3 credits. Must be repeated for a total of six credits. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students in the M.F.A. in Fine Arts sculpture concentration. This course comprises the process of producing work to achieve candidacy, a crucial qualifying step in which a student’s academic achievements are reviewed and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program is determined.

SCPT 682. Thesis. 1,3 Hour.

Semester course; 1.5 or 4.5 studio hours. 1 or 3 credits. Must be repeated for a total of six credits. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students in the M.F.A. in Fine Arts sculpture concentration. This course comprises the process of producing work for and exhibiting it in the thesis exhibition; a written thesis; and an oral presentation by second-year M.F.A. students, a crucial qualifying step for students to complete the program. Graded as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

SCPT 690. Graduate Seminar. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 seminar hours. 3 credits. Must be repeated for a total of 12 credits. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students in the M.F.A. in Fine Arts sculpture concentration. Weekly seminar for the purpose of examining contemporary issues within the field of fine art, broadening critical discourse and considering artists’ work within the context of a creative practice.

SCPT 691. Special Topics Studio. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 4.5 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students in the M.F.A. in Fine Arts sculpture concentration. A studio course that focuses on specific issues, theories or historical events in relationship to students’ research and studio practice.

SCPT 692. Independent Studio. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 4.5 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students in the M.F.A. in Fine Arts concentrations. An independent studio course that allows students to develop specific skills or explore techniques. Approval of supervising faculty member and department chair necessary prior to registration.

SCPT 693. Directed Research. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; 1-3 research hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students in the M.F.A. in Fine Arts concentrations. Approval of supervising faculty member and department chair necessary prior to registration. Learning experiences will be designed with the supervising faculty member in the form of a contract between student and instructor.